The MGH Center for Community Health Improvement (CCHI) collaborates with underserved communities to carry out the hospital’s mission to improve the health and well-being of the diverse communities we serve. MGH has a deep and enduring commitment to the city of Chelsea. The hospital provides care at MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center (MGH Chelsea) and CCHI supports multiple programs to reduce health disparities, improve access to care, and address environmental factors influencing health.

Responsibilities Include:

Coalition building and management

Develop and implement annual coalition work plans, guide and manage the coalition steering group, and oversee and integrate initiatives to address substance use, healthy eating, active living, and family violence.

Increase community and coalition capacity by expanding outreach, coalition recruitment, and membership.

Foster community and coalition leadership and provide training and skill building to the membership.

Assure continuous outreach to and active engagement of underrepresented communities in Chelsea in the coalition.

Support coalition partners’ activities and programs that complement the Healthy Chelsea strategic plan. This may include attending events and meetings; helping conduct assessments, strategic planning, and program development; promoting evidence-based practices; assisting with grant writing; and other technical assistance.

Hire, train, and supervise the coalition staff of approximately 3 FTEs.

Give public presentations about the work of the coalition as requested.

Community health improvement

Work with CCHI to engage the community in conducting community health needs assessments every three years.

Oversee the development and implementation of strategies to change or create positive social norms, community awareness, policies, systems, practice changes, programs, and services in support of Healthy Chelsea goals.

Develop and implement strategies to prepare the community, MGH Chelsea, and the hospital for policy, systems, and practice changes.

Work with coalition and community partners to lead program improvement initiatives to address substance use prevention and intervention, reduce family violence, and improve healthy eating.

Partnerships

Develop strong and positive working relationships and partnerships with key community leaders.

Collaborate closely with the MA Department of Public Health and other relevant state and federal agencies.

Develop and maintain strong working relationships with the leadership of MGH Chelsea and the CHHI team.

Qualifications:

Skills and knowledge

Strong understanding of best practices in: community coalition development, policy, systems, and environmental change; prevention strategies and the strategic prevention framework; comprehensive community-based public health initiatives; and cutting-edge research in community-based approaches to community health improvement.

Ability to think strategically and translate theoretical frameworks into community action.

Extremely strong verbal and written communication skills.

Strong administrative, management, and organizational skills.

Ability to work independently with good judgment about when to seek support.

Experience with public speaking.

Ability to conduct effective meetings and facilitate community input.

Commitment and perspective

Demonstrated commitment to environmental change principles that support harm reduction associated with alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.

Ability to see the big picture while attending to on the ground details.

Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with key constituents and community leaders including elected officials, government officials, community leaders, and hospital, health center, and nonprofit leadership.

Keen sense of strategy, ability to assess readiness, and intuitive political judgment.

Commitment to cultural competency, diversity and health equity.

Ability to foster leadership and skill development among staff while facilitating community ownership of project initiatives.

Background

Bachelor’s degree required. Masters degree preferred.

A minimum of five years of coalition leadership or related experience preferred.

Familiarity with health care organizations and medical centers.

Coursework or formal training in the prevention of substance use disorders.

Ability to speak Spanish preferred.

Proficient in Excel, Word, Access, and Power Point programs.

To Apply: Send a cover letter and resume to Martha Kurz at: marthakurz@comcast.net or call her to discuss at 978-309-8139.